Repeat After Me! Improve your IELTS Speaking score through speech shadowing!

Category: Part 2

  • Lesson 98: A recent development in your city🏙️

    This week, you will shadow the below monologue. This is an exercise that helps you prepare for Part 2 of the exam. Here is the cue card that will be used in the exercise:

    Describe a recent development in your city.
    You should say:
    -what it is
    -where it is located
    -how long it took to complete
    -and explain how you feel about it

    Step 1: Listen to the full sample.

    Step 2: The free IELTSCast episode for this week is temporarily unavailable.

    Step 3: Complete the full speech shadowing exercise below.

    Step 4: Read through the below transcript and note areas you need to review in the coming weeks.

    Step 5: Submit your speech samples to your Whatsapp instructor.

    Chat on WhatsApp

    Transcript

    Describe a recent development in your city.
    You should say:
    -what it is
    -where it is located
    -how long it took to complete
    -and explain how you feel about it

    One recent development in my city that I would like to discuss is the construction of a new public transportation system known as ‘The Metro’. It is a much needed addition to our city’s infrastructure, providing a safe, fast, and convenient mode of transportation to commuters. The Metro is located in the heart of the city, with stations spread across major areas, and it runs on electricity, making it an environmentally friendly option.

    The construction of The Metro was a massive undertaking that took over four years to complete. The government had to acquire land, lay tracks, build stations, and install state-of-the-art equipment while ensuring minimal disruption to the existing infrastructure. Despite the many challenges faced during the construction, the end result has been worth it.

    Personally, I feel thrilled about this development. The Metro has made commuting a hassle-free experience for me and many others in the city. It has not only reduced travel time but has also provided a much needed relief from the exhausting and stressful traffic conditions that we had to endure earlier. Additionally, The Metro has reduced air pollution, making our city a healthier place to live in.

    In conclusion, the development of The Metro in my city is a positive change that has benefited many. It is a perfect example of how investing in public infrastructure can enhance the quality of life for citizens. I hope that the government will continue to invest in such developments in the future, making our city an even better place to live in.

  • Lesson 97: A leisure activity you did when you were young🏓

    This week, you will use the speech shadowing process to talk about a leisure activity you did when you were young. Here is the cue card used in today’s training:

    Describe a leisure activity that you did when you were young.

    You should say:

    -what it was

    -where you did it

    -who you did it with

    -and explain how you felt about this activity

    Part 1 and 2: These sections are temporarily unavailable.

    Part 3: Complete the full exercise below.

    Part 4: Refer to the below transcript of this week’s exercise and note any challenging language you came across.

    Part 5: Submit your own speech samples to your Whatsapp instructor.

    Chat on WhatsApp

    Transcript

    Describe a leisure activity that you did when you were young.

    You should say:

    -what it was

    -where you did it

    -who you did it with

    -and explain how you felt about this activity

    When I was young, I was an avid reader. I would usually read in my bedroom, which was my favourite spot to escape into a different world. My parents were very supportive of my reading habit and they would often take me to the library or bookstore to pick out new books. I would also borrow books from my friends at school and exchange recommendations with them.

    Reading was a solitary activity for me, but it allowed me to explore different perspectives and ideas. It was a way for me to travel to different places and experience different cultures, all from the comfort of my own home. It was also a way for me to learn new things and broaden my horizons.

    I felt a sense of excitement and anticipation whenever I started a new book. I would become completely engrossed in the story and would lose track of time. Reading was a way for me to escape from reality and enter a different world, even if it was just for a little while.

    Overall, reading was a leisure activity that brought me immense pleasure and satisfaction when I was young. It allowed me to explore new ideas and perspectives, and it helped me to develop my imagination and creativity. Even now, as an adult, I still love to read and I credit my childhood reading habit for fostering a lifelong love of learning.

  • Lesson 96: A favourite area in your home🏠

    Is speech shadowing important to train fully for IELTS Speaking? Yes! It can help you refine your accent and broaden your vocabulary. Today’s exercise on the topic of ‘a favourite area in your home’ will demonstrate this.

    Step 1: Listen to the full sample.

    Step 2: This week’s IELTSCast episode is temporarily unavailable.

    Step 3: Complete the full exercise by watching the below video.

    Step 4: Read through the below transcript and note the new language you encountered this week.

    Step 5: Submit your speaking samples to your Whatsapp instructor and wait for feedback.

    Chat on WhatsApp

    Transcript

    Describe an area in your home where you feel relaxed. You should say:

    -what area or room it is
    -when you spend time in it
    -why you feel relaxed there
    -and explain what you do to relax

    The area in my home where I feel most relaxed is my bedroom. As the name suggests, it is a place where I can retire after a long day to unwind and recharge. I guess this is unsurprising, but I spend most of my time in my bedroom during the evening and night-time.

    The reason I feel so relaxed in my bedroom is because of the peaceful and cozy environment it provides. The walls are painted in pale shades of blue and green, which I find have a calming effect on my mind. The lighting is also soft and dim. This is actually by design – I bought these lamps because of the warm and inviting atmosphere they create. The furniture, including the bed and the armchair, is comfortable and soft to the touch, making it easy to sink into and relax.

    When I want to relax in my bedroom, I usually engage in activities that help me unwind. For example, I like to read a book or listen to some soothing music. Sometimes, I also like to meditate or practise yoga, as it helps me clear my mind and release any tension that may have built up during the day. If I am feeling particularly tired, I may even take a nap or get an early night’s sleep.

    Overall, my bedroom is my sanctuary, a place where I can shut out the noise of the world and focus on myself. It is a room where I can find peace and relaxation, and for that reason, it is my favourite area in my home.

  • Lesson 95: A person who dresses well👔

    This week’s English shadowing technique pushes you to speak about a person who dresses well. Here is the cue card used in this section:

    Describe a person who dresses well. You should say:
    -who the person is
    -how you know him or her
    -how often you see him or her
    -and explain why you think this person dresses well

    Step 1: Listen to the full model response.

    Step 2: This week’s IELTSCast episode is temporarily unavailable.

    Step 3: Complete the full speech shadowing exercise using the below video.

    Step 4: Read the below transcript and note the new language you encountered today.

    Step 5: Submit your five speaking samples to your Whatsapp instructor.

    Chat on WhatsApp

    Transcript

    Describe a person who dresses well. You should say:
    -who the person is
    -how you know him or her
    -how often you see him or her
    -and explain why you think this person dresses well

    I would like to talk about my friend Jack who I believe has a great sense of fashion and dresses exceptionally well. Jack is a friend of mine from university, and we have known each other for over five years. We met during our freshman year, and since then we have been good friends.

    I see Jack quite often, as we are still in touch even after graduating from university. We usually hang out together every couple of weeks, and I always look forward to seeing him.

    The thing that sets Jack apart from others when it comes to fashion is his ability to mix and match different styles and create a unique look. He always seems to know what’s trendy and fashionable, but he doesn’t blindly follow trends. Instead, he adapts them to his own personal style and makes it work for him. He also pays attention to the little details, such as matching the colour of his shoes with his belt.

    Moreover, Jack’s clothes are always well-fitted, which I think is crucial for a person to dress well. His outfits are neither too tight nor too loose, and they always seem to flatter his body type. He also experiments with different colours and patterns and manages to pull them off effortlessly.

    I think Jack dresses well because he has a great sense of style, pays attention to details, and knows how to dress for his body type. He inspires me to be more adventurous with my own fashion choices, and I’m always excited to see what he’ll be wearing the next time we meet.

  • Lesson 92: A person from another culture🌎

    This week, we’re looking at a common IELTS Speaking topic: culture.

    Step 1: Listen to the full sample and familiarise yourself with this week’s target language.

    Step 2: Tune in to this week’s IELTSCast episode to practise a few sentences from the model.

    Step 3: Work through the full exercise below.

    Step 4: Read through the below transcript and note the new language you learned this week.

    Step 5: Submit your speech samples to your Whatsapp instructor.

    Chat on WhatsApp

    Transcript

    Talk about a person you know from another culture, such as a friend or a teacher. You should say
    -who the person is
    -how you met him/her
    -where you met
    -and explain what you learnt about their cultural background

    I would like to talk about my friend Hiro, who is from Japan. I met Hiro in my first year of university, where we both took a course on international relations. We were assigned to work on a group project together, and that’s how we became friends.

    We met at a coffee shop near campus, where we discussed the project and got to know each other. As we worked on the project, we learned a lot about each other’s culture. Hiro shared many interesting things about Japan with me, and he opened my eyes to traditions from his homeland.

    One of the things I learned from Hiro is the importance of respect in Japanese culture. He explained how respect is a fundamental value in all aspects of life in Japan, from family and relationships to business and politics. Hiro also told me about the tradition of bowing as a sign of respect, which is something I found really interesting.

    Another thing I learned from Hiro is the importance of food in Japanese culture. He introduced me to some delicious Japanese dishes and explained the significance of certain ingredients and cooking techniques. I also learned about the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, which I found fascinating.

    Overall, I feel very fortunate to have met Hiro and to have learned so much about Japanese culture from him. It has given me a greater appreciation for the diversity of cultures in the world, and I feel more open-minded and eager to learn about other cultures.

  • Lesson 89: An inexpensive outing🚵

    We’re talking about ‘an inexpensive outing’ this week. Can you remember a time when you did something inexpensively?

    Step 1: Listen to the full sample.

    Step 2: This week’s IELTSCast episode is unavailable. It will be back up soon.

    Step 3: Engage the full exercise.

    Step 4: Read through this week’s transcript.

    Step 5: Complete your speech exercises with your Whatsapp instructor.

    Chat on WhatsApp

    Transcript

    Describe a day out that didn’t cost much. You should say
    -where you went
    -what you did
    -what you spent money on
    -and explain whether you enjoyed the day out and why

    I recently had a day out that was both enjoyable and affordable. I went to a nearby park with a few of my friends. We all brought our own food and drinks and had a picnic on the grassy lawn. We spent the whole day playing games, like frisbee and soccer, and just enjoying each other’s company. The only money we spent was on parking, which came to about $5.

    I really loved this day for a number of reasons. Firstly, it was a beautiful day and being surrounded by nature was really peaceful and calming. Secondly, I got to spend quality time with my friends and we had so much fun playing games and just chatting. It was such a great reminder that sometimes the simplest things in life can bring the most happiness.

    Another reason I enjoyed this day out was because it was so affordable. I love going out and trying new things, but often these activities can be quite expensive. This day out showed me that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a great time. All you need is good company and a positive attitude, and you can have an enjoyable day no matter where you are or what you’re doing.

    Overall, this day out was a really memorable experience for me, and I would definitely do it again. It was a great reminder that sometimes the best things in life are the ones that don’t cost much.

  • Lesson 86: A memorable outdoor activity⛰️

    This lesson requires you describe an outdoor activity you did that was memorable for you.

    Step 1: Listen to the full band 9 model.

    Step 2: This week’s IELTSCast episode is currently unavailable.

    Step 3: Work through this week’s full exercise.

    Step 4: Read through the below transcript and note the language you learned this week.

    Step 5: Submit your speaking samples to your Whatsapp instructor.

    Chat on WhatsApp

    Transcript

    Describe a memorable outdoor activity that you have participated in.
    What did you do during this activity?
    Who did you go with?
    Why was it memorable for you?
    And say how you felt during and after this activity.

    One memorable outdoor activity that I participated in was a multi-day hiking trip through the mountains. I went with a group of friends, and we spent several days hiking through beautiful wilderness areas, camping out under the stars, and exploring the local flora and fauna. Sometimes my friends and I would get lost in deep conversation as we trekked, but there were also long stretches when we walked in silence and I was completely alone with my thoughts.

    The reason this trip was so memorable for me was because it was the first time I had ever gone on a long-distance hike. It was physically challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. I felt a sense of accomplishment and freedom as we hiked through the stunning landscapes, and the sense of camaraderie with my friends was unbeatable.

    During the hike, I felt a mix of excitement and exhaustion. There were moments when I was really pushing myself to keep going, but then there were also moments of pure joy and wonder as we took in the breathtaking views. And after the hike, I felt a strong sense of accomplishment and pride in what we had achieved.

    Overall, this was a truly memorable outdoor activity for me, and one that I will always cherish.

  • Lesson 83: A lesson you remember👨‍🎓

    This week’s lesson looks at the topic of ‘education’ and specifically ‘a lesson your remember well’. This is a Part 2 lesson that uses the following cue card:

    Talk about a lesson that you remember well. You should say
    -when and where it was
    -who taught you the lesson
    -what you learned
    -and explain why you remember the lesson well

    Step 1: Listen to the full band 9 speech sample.

    Step 2: Work through the sample exercise in this week’s IELTSCast episode.

    Step 3: Complete the full shadowing exercise.

    Step 4: Read through the below transcript and note all of the new language you came across this week.

    Step 5: Complete your speech exercises with your Whatsapp instructor.

    Chat on WhatsApp

    Transcript

    Talk about a lesson that you remember well. You should say
    -when and where it was
    -who taught you the lesson
    -what you learned
    -and explain why you remember the lesson well

    As far as school is concerned, I can’t in all honesty say I remember many lessons. However, I do remember a lesson I had with my English tutor. The lesson I remember very well was one that I had fairly recently in order to prepare for my IELTS exam.

    I was at my tutor’s home around four months ago and she began explaining writing Task 1 to me. I was extremely nervous about Task 1 because all my friends who had taken IELTS told me how tricky it was. Fortunately, my tutor explained it to me very methodically and demystified it for me. She showed me how to organise my ideas and what kind of language to use. She taught me how to group information appropriately, what to edit out and what to include, and how to communicate these areas in an appropriate tone. It initially felt like a great deal of information to synthesise but with some practice, it became a piece of cake.

    I took the writing portion of the test earlier today and feel like I utilised every bit of information my tutor provided, so I believe this is a lesson that is not only memorable but will be a crucial component to my success in the exams.

  • Lesson 80: A story someone told you🦋

    This week, you will practise responding to the following Part 2 cue card:

    Talk about a story someone told you that you remember well. Please say:
    -what the story is about
    -who told you the story
    -when he/she told you the story
    -and explain why you remember it so well

    Step 1: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode (audio and video version below) to become familiar with the speech sample. This episode will also push you to practise saying a few sentences from the model.

    Step 2: If at any time you’d like to hear the original sample without pauses, you can listen to it here.

    Step 3: Work through this week’s full exercise.

    Step 4: Below is Monday’s speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor.

    Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!📲

    “This story was told to me several years ago. It is nothing short of incredible, and I’d have a hard time believing it had actually happened if it weren’t my brother who told me.”
    Chat on WhatsApp

    Transcript

    Talk about a story someone told you that you remember well. Please say:
    -what the story is about
    -who told you the story
    -when he/she told you the story
    -and explain why you remember it so well

    “This story was told to me several years ago. It is nothing short of incredible, and I’d have a hard time believing it had actually happened if it weren’t my brother who told me.

    My brother had planned to propose to his girlfriend of several years, and he put the engagement ring in his pocket hoping to surprise her when they met later that day. His girlfriend worked at the public transit depot in our city, so my brother’s plan was to take the bus to her office and walk with her to a park nearby where they could picnic and he could ask her to marry him.

    Unfortunately, when he went to put his coins into the bus’s fare repository, he accidentally dropped the engagement ring in too! He realised it a minute later and told the driver who radioed to have someone ready at the terminal station to open the repository and retrieve the ring.

    When the bus pulled into the transit depot, my brother’s girlfriend was standing there. The ring was quickly retrieved and my brother proposed to her right there on the spot!

    My brother and his wife remain happily married to this day, so as you can imagine this story is a cherished family memory that gets told a lot.”

  • Lesson 77: A free item or service👍

    This week, you will train to talk about a free item or service you received.

    Step 1: Tune in to this week’s podcast episode (audio and video version available below):

    Part 2 Cue Card

    Talk about a free item or service you received. Please say
    -what item or service it was
    -why it was free
    -what you did to receive it
    -and explain how you felt about receiving this item or service
    🧑‍🎓Target language:

    strapped (adjective)
    Short of money

    “I was strapped for cash.”

    Step 2: Listen to the sample a few times to get more familiar with the language.

    Step 3: Engage this week’s full speech shadowing lesson.

    Step 4: Below is Monday’s speech exercise. Post yourself saying this excerpt to your Whatsapp group. Exercises for Tuesday to Friday will be posted in the group by your instructor.

    Post yourself saying this into your Whatsapp group!🗣️📲

    “Some time ago, I was driving my car and had to stop for gas. I remember being very anxious as it was in the middle of my exam period, so I was studying and on top of that I had just paid for some expensive repairs on my car, so I was strapped for cash.”
    Chat on WhatsApp

    Step 5: It’s very important that you note any new language items or pronunciation points from this week’s lesson in your journal to help you chronicle your improvement.📝

    Transcript

    Talk about a free item or service you received. Please say
    -what item or service it was
    -why it was free
    -what you did to receive it
    -and explain how you felt about receiving this item or service

    Some time ago, I was driving my car and had to stop for gas. I remember being very anxious as it was in the middle of my exam period, so I was studying and on top of that I had just paid for some expensive repairs on my car, so I was strapped for cash. Although the tank was nearly empty, I asked the attendant to put 10 pounds worth of fuel in my car. He started the pump and walked away.

    A minute or two later, I looked at the pump and saw that it read 40 pounds and was still going! I flagged down the attendant and reminded him that I had only asked for 10 pounds of fuel and now I had to pay nearly 50! He apologised profusely but said since I had been given the petrol I had to pay for it.

    Well, I take it the attendant could see from my face that I was in a tight position and pretty upset about the whole ordeal. He offered to pay for the difference out of his salary but I couldn’t in good conscience ask him to do that. That’s when he offered me three free car washes and a waxing instead. It wasn’t an ideal situation as I still had to pay for the fuel and essentially I was getting something I didn’t truly need but I accepted the offer. 

    It all worked out in the end because my car received some much needed care. I, of course, used the petrol and the attendant was satisfied that he didn’t have to pay for the fuel himself.